Business Resources

Restaurant Revitalization Fund
The Small Business Administration has also begun accepting applications on May 4 for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. This fund will provide help to restaurants, bars, and other eligible businesses. Businesses who receive funding will not have to repay any amount as long as the funds are used for eligible expenses before March 11, 2023. Go to www.sba.gov/restaurants for more information and to apply. 

Business Oregon Commercial Rent Relief Grants
Business Oregon has a new program to provide financial assistance to small businesses (100 or fewer employees) and commercial landlords impacted by the economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program provides grants to building owners to cover outstanding lease payments from small business tenants that are behind on rent due to COVID-19. The grants can go up to $100,000 per each business tenant lease, but not more than $3 million for each landlord. The landlord must agree not to evict the tenant for six months and waive any rights to collect outstanding penalties or interest, or enforce eviction clauses related to the delinquent lease payments between March 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021. 
  
The program will open for applications on Monday, March 8 for two weeks. Both the business tenant and property owner will need to participate in the application process and sign the grant agreement, but the initial application needs to be completed by the landlord. 
  
For more information, go to Business Oregon's webpage.

Small Business Paycheck Protection Program
The Biden Administration is opening a special two-week period for businesses with less than 20 employees to apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) assistance before the March 31 deadline.

The Small Business Advisory has a banner up on their page that helps direct people to the right places, please see www.oregon.gov/smallbusiness/.

SO CARES COVID-19 Small Business Grants
Over $3.6 million in grant funds are now available for eligible businesses impacted by COVID-19 in Jackson and Josephine Counties. Applications will be available through SOREDI at soredi.org/socares/ on Friday, December 4 at 12 p.m. for Jackson County. 

Applications must be complete with all required documentation and submitted electronically to be considered. Applications will be accepted until funding is exhausted or on Tuesday, December 29 at 12 p.m. whichever comes first. As this is a new program with new requirements, businesses who applied for other funding or were placed on a wait list for funding will need to reapply and resubmit documentation.

PPE Available from the Chamber of Commerce
On Thursday, December 3, the Chamber of Commerce will have masks, gloves, antiseptic spray and antiseptic wipes available for local businesses at no cost. 

Arrange an appointment to pick up the supplies through the Chamber here. Supply quantities are set by number of employees and available while supplies last.

The Oregon Cares Fund
The Oregon Cares Fund is a targeted investment in the Black community from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund. This fund is meant to provide the Black community with the resources it needs to weather the global health pandemic and consequent recession. The Oregon Cares Fund is for Black people, Black-owned businesses, and Black community based organizations. Click here to apply or learn more. 

The Oregon Cultural Trust
Applications are now being accepted for nearly $26 million in funding for cultural organizations facing losses due COVID-19. Organizations can apply for Oregon’s Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Cultural Support program through noon on Monday, August 24, with funds distributed in mid September.

Free Masks and Gloves for Small Businesses
Governor Kate Brown announced a new program to provide masks and gloves to small businesses during the pandemic. Orders will be fulfilled at no charge while supplies last. 

Apply for free masks and gloves here: supplyconnector.org/states/oregon/free-ppe/

Ashland Chamber of Commerce
The Ashland Chamber will be assisting Ashland businesses (whether they are members or not) with business assistance and recovery information. ​
Business Resources
How to Support Local Businesses

Business Oregon
View resources concerning the Coronavirus and call their established hotline to help get the best resource for your business.

Diaster Loan Assistance
As of March 19, Jackson and Josephine Counties have been named as eligible disaster areas for the Small Business Administration's Disaster Loan Assistance. Click the link above to apply and contact the Ashland Chamber of Commerce at members@ashlandchamber.com​ for assistance.

Rogue Business
This website from the Small Business Development Center and Rogue Workforce offers information on national and local funding for businesses affected by COVID-19 and other business resources. 

Submit Official Testimony to Governor's Councils
Use the link above to submit testimony about the impacts individual businesses have faced to the Governor's Coronavirus Economic Advisory Council and the Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response. Please also submit a copy of your testimony to members@ashlandchamber.com, so the Ashland Chamber can keep a record for potential future opportunities.

Local Resources

State Eviction Moratorium
As of September 28, the Governor extended the residential eviction moratorium through December 31, 2020. Landlords cannot evict tenants or charge late fees during this time.
Read the Governor's press release and Executive Order 20-56. 
​
Refer to this link for Tenant and Landlord resources. 

Rent and Utility Assistance
ACCESS was awarded over $3.3 million for COVID-19 rental relief assistance and $770,867 for energy assistance. The funding for rental relief and energy assistance is for anyone at or below 80 percent of the area median income residing in Jackson County. Information regarding these programs and how to apply can be found here.

Please contact ACCESS to apply for these programs if you are in need of rental support or need help paying for your utility bills. You can reach them at (541) 414-0308 for rental support, (541) 779-9020 for energy assistance, or at www.accesshelps.org. 

Food Assistance
Local food pantries providing assistance in Southern Oregon:
ACCESS (Located in Medford)
Ashland Emergency Food Bank (Located in Ashland)
St. Vincent de Paul (Located in Medford)

Ashland Fiber Network Offers Free Education Access Again
With schools being changed to online or hybrid learning formats, Ashland Fiber Network (AFN) will provide FREE cable modem service at 30 Mbps for all K-12 & college students and staff who are not currently (or within the past 30 days) AFN customers. During this time, activation fees will be waived, and a cable modem will be provided. See ashlandfiber.net or call (541) 552-2222 to sign up. 

Jackson County Library Services
View current library closures and cancelations of events.

Oregon DMV
View closures and allowed appointments for select branches.

Recology Ashland
View updates on service and facilities open for drop off. 

Rogue Valley Transportation District 
Check for updates on the bus routes. 

Oregon Shakespeare Festival
View OSF's updates on cancelations and plans moving forward.

Senior Resources
(ashland.or.us/COVID19seniorresources)
View grocery delivery options for Ashland, learn how to stay active and connected, and much more.